Arthur, Chester A. Letter signed ("Chester A. Arthur"), 1 page (8 x 5 in.; 203 x 127 mm.), on personal crest stationery, "Lexington Ave., Newport," 13 November 1886. The former President writes to "the Architect of the Capitol" concerning a marble bust to be commissioned of his likeness to be displayed in the Senate Chamber. Exhibits some toning and three fold lines. Included is a separate CDV of President Arthur with some edge chipping.

Chester A. Arthur requests sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens be assigned to create a marble bust in his likeness for display in the Senate Chamber.

Arthur writes in part: "I beg leave to recommend that this undertaking be entrusted to Mr. Augustus St. Gaudens of Newport City. I am very faithfully yours, Chester A. Arthur"

This letter regards the commission of a sculptor to fashion a bust of Arthur after a Senate resolution to have likenesses of Vice Presidents installed in the niches of the Senate Chamber. Augustus Saint-Gaudens (March 1, 1848 - August 3, 1907) was the Irish-born American sculptor of the Beaux-Arts generation who most embodied the ideals of the "American Renaissance". Raised in New York City, he traveled to Europe for further training and artistic study, and then returned to major critical success in the design of monuments commemorating heroes of the American Civil War, many of which still stand.